Genetic Algorithm Approach to Aircraft Gate Reassignment Problem

Abstract

The aircraft gate reassignment problem occurs when the departure of an incoming aircraft is delayed or a delay occurs in flight. If the delay is significant enough to delay the arrival of subsequent incoming aircraft at the assigned gate, the airline must revise the gate assignments to minimize extra delay times. This paper describes a genetic algorithm approach to solving the gate reassignment problem. By using a global search technique on quantified information, this genetic algorithm approach can efficiently find minimum extra delayed time solutions that are as effective or more effective than solutions generated by experienced gate managers.